Purna Sing Baraili

Purna Sing Baraili pops up in "Pooja, Sir" (2024), and honestly, the guy brings a whole lot of heart to the screen. The film itself is this tangled mess of small-town dreams, old-school respect, and a dash of that classic teacher-student drama. It’s set in a sleepy town that’s probably seen better days, but you can feel it—every corner has some faded story, every character drags around their own hopes and disappointments. Baraili’s character isn’t your cookie-cutter teacher; he’s got layers. He cares too much, sometimes to the point where you just wanna shake him and say, “Chill, man.” The students are a rowdy bunch, sure, but there’s this one kid—Pooja—she’s stubborn, sharp, and just a little bit lost. Their relationship becomes the heart of the film. Not in a cheesy way, but like, you can feel the tension and care. It’s not all “inspiring speeches in the rain,” thank god, but more awkward talks, missed chances, and that real sense of two people trying to figure out how to deal with their own messes. The story doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff, either. There’s corruption, broken families, and the kind of small-town politics that’ll make you roll your eyes. Still, there’s humor tucked into the cracks, and some moments that’ll hit way too close to home if you’ve ever had a teacher who actually gave a damn. By the time credits roll, you’re left thinking about how much ordinary people can mess each other up—and save each other, sometimes, without even realizing it.